"BIG" STUFF PICTURE POST

Since most of the snow from the big storm has turned into flood waters, it is time to post something new here. I don't have any burning issues to discuss so I thought you might like to this mishmash of stuff from the past week!!
(Please notice Sandy's address at the rehab hospital is on the right side.)

BIG D - Are these not the most adorable pictures you have ever seen?? Delaney is one!!! See her proud momma's post here. Tasha's post.
BIG L - Hmmmm!! Hamming it up at Christmas!
BIG J - Chris and "Little Jimmy" (Little as in 6'-5"+)BIG H- Hockey Skates. Larry is skating for the second time in 14 years. He's like a kid in a candy store!! (but much more sore!!)
BIG P - Parents or Patience!!! I watched this dad for 30 minutes. His son refused to move his feet and wanted to be picked up. The dad just kept encouraging and teasing and skating around the little boy. By the time we left the little guy had gone all the way around the rink a couple times with the cone and even skated a little bit on his own. No wonder NHL players always thank their parents!!BIG F- FEET The last day of school was PJ Day. Billy's slippers were the biggest!!
BIG SD- SNOWDAYS Friday and Monday were SNOWDAYS for most schools in our area. I had time to play and have fun wrapping gifts for our support staff at school. The silver package at the top of the page is my favorite! What a gift of time the snowdays were!! I slept a LOT and worked on getting our basement usable again and played!!

It's time for BIG S - SLEEP!! Hopefully the sandman will visit soon!!

SNOWDAY!!!

I hadn't ventured outside since Thursday.
Friday was a snowday-no school.
I wondered why schools were going to be
closed on Monday too.
Then we went out to shovel. WOW!!

That's life in Buffalo!!

SECOND GRADERS SING AT THE NURSING HOME

Our class and Miss Wright's class went to the nursing home to sing for the residents. We made starburst ornaments to give each person. The kids didn't say much before we went but we practiced looking people in the eye and saying "Merry Christmas".

Lisa and I did not realize how important it had become to the children to be able to connect with at least one person. By the time we got to the third room there were children expressing disappointment that they had not been able to give an ornament yet.

At one point I looked up and Billy had made his way through a maze of wheelchairs and was handing out ornaments. Most of the kids were too scared to go to the back to hand out ornaments. It is true we are all gifted differently. Billy obviously has the interpersonal gifts!!

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50th Post!!

Somewhere I read that on your 50th day of posting or in your 50th post you are supposed to share 50 things about yourself you think your friends and family might not know!

My favorite colors all come from the red and blue families.

I love to play with paper, paint, glue, etc..

I am a random thinker

I have a hard time reading written directions.

I am great at following picture directions.

I love to cook 5 or 6 times a year.

I love to read good fiction but hardly ever do.

I often read the end of a book after I have read the first 3 chapters.

I enjoy movies more if I already know the ending.

I love to color.

I try to follow recipes but I never do. I can't stop myself from adding some weird ingredient.

I have a very poor sense of time. I don't know if something will take me 5 minutes or 5 hours.

I went to the hospital on Christmas Eve when I was 1. I have the trach scar to prove it.

I mix up my right and left, especially when you ask me which way to turn.

Now I just point in the direction you should go.

I love to fold laundry.

I hate to put laundry away.

My 3rd grade teacher told my parents if she ever had another student like me she would quit teaching!

I love Christmas movies.

I believe ADD has it's benefits!!

I am hard to wake up!

I love to be near on the water. ocean, lakes, ponds, rivers, boats, tubes

I can often tell what a person is on the Myers Briggs just by talking to them.

Some days I think I will be an art teacher when I grow up and retire.

I can't balance a checkbook.

Big crowds give me the willies!!

My mom put flowers and candles on the table almost every night.

I am married to a man who should be a concierge.

I am allergic to most trees, grasses, weeds and herbs.

I dropped my purse in the dolphin pool at the aquarium.

8 year olds can drive bumper boats better than me.

I love roller coasters but ferris wheels make me crazy.

I went tubing last summer and couldn't move the next day.

Camp of the Woods was my favorite place when I was a kid.

Once I leaned against an electric fence in a barn yard. My shoes stayed in the manure pile as instinct told me to run!

When I was about 10 my brother in law taught me about football. I loved him so I loved football and still do.

Larry and I probably would have never met if the Bills had not gone to their fourth super bowl.

I cried driving home from the Stith's house after we lost the first super bowl!

In graduate school my professor read off the names of the people giving presentations during class. I was shocked to hear I was 3rd on the list. I had no idea. I came up with an outline during the first 2 and got up and talked for 30 minutes. I got an A. I wouldn't want to do it again though.

I talk to myself.

I can take 100 pictures in about 5 minutes- given the right subject.

I color code things in rainbow order because it's the only way I can remember what the order is supposed to be.

I love most technology!

I hate junk mail and newspapers.

I wish FACEBOOK had been around when I was in college.

Martha Stewart does not live at, nor has she visited my house.

I love to decorate for holidays- wish I had more time.

I love cheater recipes.

I love short cuts of any kind.

I tell everyone about "Bar Keepers Friend"! It was the answer to my Yahoo question about how to get an etched bathtub clean!

Disclaimer- this list does not reflect my values-
it does reflect the random wanderings of my mind at 2am when I can't sleep.

Jambo!!!

Update on Sandy
Good News- Sandy is well enough to leave the hospital tomorrow. Stacy and Barclay will be driving her to a skilled nursing facility near their house. Please pray for a safe trip for them as she is very weak.

There is a wonderful site called Caring Bridge which offers a place for families to update people on a family member's condition without having to make lots of phone calls. Tasha started a beautiful page for Sandy. You can find it here.

Sandy's Caring Bridge Page

Thank you for your concern and prayers!!

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Thank you to my sweet husband Larry!!!

As some of you know I have always loved to decorate for Christmas. But since my mom died we have not decorated or put up a tree. Larry overheard me telling someone that I didn't think I would put one up this year either. When I got home from work on Thursday, he greeted me at the door and told me to close my eyes. When I opened them in the living room, the tree was up and lighted and almost all decorated. It is amazing how calming and peaceful it is to sit by the tree, a time to remember all the wonderful past holidays. Thank you so much Larry!!!

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On a lighter note

Karen D. posted a link to the 12 Days of Christmas video below. Once I listened I was hooked. The harmony is amazing.

Larry went to 5 stores today to try to find the CD. All said they had sold out days ago except for Record Theater. They had one copy left. The songs remind me of the rich music at Houghton which I miss!! The 12 Days reminds me of the classic crazy antics from the Houghton '77 singers with their wonderful rendition of "Trees shall Clap their Hands!!"

P.S. My next post will be my 50th. I have heard that it has become a tradition to post 50 things people might not know about you in your 50th post. I'm working on it!!

12 Days of Christmas - YouTube link- find more of their songs
Enjoy.

LETTER FROM HEATHER

This letter from Heather is the latest update on Sandy. Dear Friends and Family - Thank you so much for your encouragment, notes, prayers, offers of care, etc. My sisters and I have been thrust into a new reality that is taking our breath away, but also causing on us to hold tightly to one another, appreciate each moment of life and health that we have and turn our faith into a tangible waiting on God - trusting that He will guide our mother and us through each turn and step. Without going into too many details, physically and mentally she is at about 10% of what she was prior to the accident. Mentally, she goes from a completely aware conversation to sound asleep, to rambling about completely zany topics, not making sense at all. Physically, she is recovering simply being moved from the bed to a chair and not any real mobility on her own. She has stabilized to the point of the hospital looking to release her early next week and thankfully we have a facility near my sister Stacy's home in Philly which will take her in to start a rehab program. Today was the first encouraging day - with her feeding herself and even trying a few assisted steps. And so, we ask specifically for your prayers: 1) that she would climb steadily up the recovery incline, gaining strength and clarity to the point of complete rehabilitation 2) that her timeline would coincide with her insured timeline, so that she is not forced to turn over her assets, sell her home, etc. in order to stay under the short term care she needs, not even knowing what longterm will look like 3) that she would find joy in the journey set before her- and on clear moments that is her prayer, "God help me to find joy in my suffering" 4) for my sister Stacy's peace and joy in her new role on top of her other hats (wife, mother of 5 homeschooled children and women's ministry position) 5) for wisdom for us in deciding whether or not to pursue legal counsel which everyone is suggesting but feels unsettling and overwhelming on top of every other overwhelming detail Thank you for caring for her and us. Even in the midst of our tragedy, we celebrate: 1) Being by her side, Caressing and kissing her, telling her everything on our hearts and loving her in such a tangible way, singing with her, praying with her, laughing and crying together 2) Cherishing her and the strong woman she has always been 3) Being in a city where we were able to reconnect with an aunt, cousin and second cousin and having their company and support 4) Basically free lodging for over two weeks for the three of us, provided by a non-profit group at the hospital and right next to the hospital so we were able to get there early and stay late each day 5) Husbands and family and friends watching over our own families while we've been away 6) Beautiful, loving and tender care for her by the hospital staff 7) Loving friends and family offering their hearts and carrying the burden with us 8) A faith passed on to us by our mother, enabling us to lift our heads each day, confident that a loving God is right with her and us and that there is a picture much bigger than the one our little fragile eyes can see...... Thank you and bless you and may your home be filled with joy and worship this holiday season (and for the first year, I now have an excuse as to why I don't have my Christmas cards in the mail........I had to send out my mom's!) Love, Heather

SANDY - WED. DEC. 10TH

I don't have many details but...
* Sandy was out of surgery last night and "OK"
* There is some confusion about how well the thumb will heal
* The biggest concern is her cognitive ability-
some days are better than others,
but the overall trend is that she is less able to
think,process and communicate than
she was right after the accident.

Obviously this is very concerning to the family...
But...we serve a big God and he knows best.

Please pray that Sandy will get the best
and appropriate care for her specific needs.

SANDY'S CONDITION UPDATE Sun. 12/7

Sunday- what a difference a day makes!! Sandy woke up with a TO DO List for Tasha! They got lots done today before Tasha headed back to Chicago tonight.

Surgery is postponed until Tuesday or Wednesday. Pray for Sandy and the girls as they won't be together for a while!!

Saturday was a tough day for Sandy and Tasha. She did not recognize Tasha and only knew who Carol was after some coaxing. She was running a fever around 102 and was very confused when talking.

Monday is a critical day. Sandy is supposed to have surgery on her thumb but with a fever, Tasha was not sure what would happen. Going under anesthesia is risky for someone with brain injury. The doctor warned the girls that the days following surgery will be difficult. Sandy may be even more confused and difficult to wake up than when the accident first happened.

The girls see God's care in little ways every day. Kind words from an aide or an attentive nurse that takes action when it is needed, mean so much.

It is clear that the road to recovery will be long and hard for Sandy. She is beginning to understand that fact. On Friday Sandy prayed that God would give her JOY in the midst of all her struggles. What a great example to all of us!! I pray that we would all find the faith to ask for JOY each day in the midst of whatever mess we find ourselves!!!

We give thanks for the Hospitality House. They are offering a place to rest and be safe for the girls. I cried when I watched the video. I am glad they care so much!!

Hospitality House

SANDY-QUICK UPDATE

Good Morning!!
I talked to Tasha last night. She said Sandy is stable but there are some changes that could be concerns. As with all brain injuries things change day by day, hour by hour and sometimes minute by minute.

Sandy was supposed to be moved out of the ICU yesterday but was not. There is some difficulty waking her up at times. Tasha said yesterday the nurse had to use a "sternum rub" to wake her up. This must be very painful because Sandy is so bruised.

Stacy is going home for the weekend. She has a big women's event to run at church. She also hasn't seen her kids for a week. Tasha will be holding down the fort at the hospital. They are trying to get to the hospital really early to catch the doctors on rounds for a daily update.

Please continue to pray for all of them. The girls are tired, every small physical hurdle brings an emotional hurdle as well. More later!!

SLIDESHOWS THANKSGIVING AND THOUGHFUL ED.

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SANDY'S CONDITION UPDATE

On Thanksgiving,
my sister Sandy was hit by a car.
She has a significant brain injury,
bleeding in her brain,
fractured skull, broken thumb
and severe bruising.
It has been a roller coaster ride
since then. Initially things did not look good,
she was not alert. Then she surprised even the
doctors by being totally alert and
communicating well.
Today we are in a down sweep of the roller
coaster. She is once again confused and
not communicating well. There will be
another CT scan today.
We are praying for a miracle!


Please God ~ another miracle for Sandy...

You can read about Sandy's history at Tasha's blog.
Suburban Momma
This is the picture she mentions.
It is Sandy holding Tasha before she goes into surgery
that will alter her life forever.

When I look at the picture above
it makes me think
of the picture below.

Tasha holding d.

Tasha mentions Sandy in a scarf to cover her scar.
Tasha is not in the picture because
Aunt Pam cared for her the first year of her life.

Depending on God,
Sandy had the strength and stubbornness
to persevere and create an independent life.

33 years ago God gave Sandy a miracle
and saved her life.
She now lays in a hospital bed
needing another miracle.

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LIFE CHANGES IN A HEARTBEAT

***Update Saturday Night 11:00pm Nov.29th
After quite a good day Sandy has had a significant setback. Stacy and Heather have decided to spend the night at the hospital. I don't know the details, just that everyone is very concerned.
I do know that God is in control and that recovery
is often a rollercoaster ride. Please pray for a miracle for Sandy!
See Sundays update- Click "Sandy's Condition Update" on right.




My sister Sandy went for a walk after
Thanksgiving dinner.
The bright sun
blinded the eyes of the woman
driving toward her.
In an instant she was hit by a car,
the impact leaving her motionless and still.

She regained consciousness and was
able to communicate.
Once in the hospital,
she became confused and
no longer was able to communicate normally.
The CT scan revealed she is bleeding internally,
the blood is putting pressure on her brain.

This would be a serious situation
for any one of us.
For Sandy it is doubly so.
At the age of 33, pregnant with Tasha,
Sandy suffered a stroke due to an aneurysm.
It took many surgeries to save her life,
including one to remove part of her brain.

Right now we are just waiting to hear.
I wonder if I should be be packing to
make a quick trip to Virginia tomorrow.
I pray for her girls and the
medical people taking care of her.
I wonder if she feels alone, and
I pray she is unaware of the situation and
is in a deep peaceful sleep.

It is amazing how life changes in a heartbeat.
Suddenly the unimportant falls away.
Heading to Kohls at 3:30am with a
shopping list and coffee to fight for
a parking spot has been crossed off
my list. "Black Friday" will have to
survive without me.

I am also so thankful for the days we spent
together this summer. After years of being apart,
we spent 6 fun, silly days together.
I pray that God's hand will be on Sandy.
He is the one who knows and loves her best.

I don't know what the tomorrow will bring
but as the song says,
I know who holds tomorrow.


I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Ira Stanphill
I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

*** Update 1- Saturday, Nov. 29
Sandy is doing better. The doctor said the accident may have been fatal if she had not had the earlier surgeries. The blood pooled in the space where part of her brain had been removed. That open space saved her life!

She was coherent yesterday and ate a bit of jello and ice cream. That was the first she had eaten. Stacy and Heather are with her and Tahsa is arriving on Tuesday. Please pray for all of them for emotional, physical and spiritual strength.

THANK YOU LAURA BUSH!

At a time when role models
are hard to come by,
Laura Bush is one of mine.
I admire her for many reasons.
I am sorry to see her leave the White House
but am happy for her that she will
no longer be in the fish bowl.

Why do I admire Laura Bush?

She is a genuine, classy, accomplished woman.

She values education, reading and
has given voice to forgotten children.

When foes attacked, maligned
and tried to discredit her man,
she never wavered
in her support of and love for him.

She stayed true to herself,
her style and her interests.
In a world that would mold
her into a "visual mirage",
she did not bend.
She remained Laura Bush,
not a stylized version of Laura Bush.

No matter the occasion,
with a queen or a group of young children,
Laura Bush was a compassionate,
humble and gracious First Lady.

The best teachers are role models.
Laura Bush has been that and more!

Thank you Laura Bush!
You made us (me) proud!

OUTDOOR RECREATION- FUN IN THE SNOW



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Giving Thanks

Melodie Beattie : Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

My second grade students are keeping a Thankful Journal for the month of November. The things they are thankful for are so sweet and often very unique. One girl said she was thankful for door knobs because you would be locked in a room without them.

So, in the spirit of gratitude, I will keep a Thankful journal right here...

I am thankful for...

1. a beautiful ride to school complete with a sunflower field, a wide creek to cross and lots of trees and deer.

2. Tim Horton's coffee- now extra large

3. sweet Larry who gets me to do things I never would have done without him (curling ??)

4. wide eyed students who LOVE books, today it is Scaredy Squirrel. (I am suffering grammar guilt. How do I underline?)


5. hot showers!

We'll see what tomorrow brings. Until then I am thankful for 6 soft, squishy pillows and a 7 comfortable, warm bed.

8. car starters

9. gourds of all shapes and sizes

10. fluffy white snowflakes

11. did I say hot Tim Horton's coffee??

12. pumpkin pie

13. our church family

14. friends who listen

15. Sabres on the radio to keep me company while doing report cards!!

16. football

17. new beginnings

18. Trent Edwards

19. the Bills - if it weren't for the Bills, I would not have met Larry!!

20. days off from school

21. Canada - our favorite get away place!!

22. my garden

23. freedom

24. the United States of America

25. randomness- to my linear friends. please don't think this in the order of importance - ramdom minds think random thoughts!!

26. friends that stick with you through thick and thin

27. opportunities for change - every day is a new beginning

28. forgiveness- makes the world work

29. seasons- every thing becomes new all over again

30. Christmas decorations

31. Christmas lights

32. Christmas movies

33. the first gift of Christmas - Jesus

34. moments of peace, moments of fun, moments of sparkle

HONORING VETERANS

"Thank you for your service to our country.
I am able to live free because of your sacrifice.'

The above is a quote from cards my students made cards to honor and say thanks to the men and women who have fought to keep our country free. My eyes teared and my voice cracked as I tried to explain to 8 year olds that we stand on the shoulders of people who have sacrificed for us.


Many Americans do not understand freedom's price nor what life would be like if our freedoms were taken away. Daily our country is maligned by it's own citizens who scoff at the values that allow them to dissent.

My immigrant grandfather understood. Grandpa came to America from a war torn, oppressive Germany. He knew of neighbor spying on neighbor and the lack of freedom to openly worship. He experienced the heartbreak of having loved ones imprisoned on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall and and family members who were beaten, threatened and lost jobs because they helped their children escape.

Grandpa Wilde was so proud to be an American citizen that he held a private flag raising ceremony at dawn every day and lowered that same flag with respect and honor each evening. He tolerated no disrespect for our country, flag or anyone in the service of our country whether he agreed with their policies or not. He sent beautifully penned letters to express his views when they differed from a politician while maintaining respect for the position.


How do we say thank you to generations of men and women on whose shoulders we stand? The enormity of the question stopped me from being able to write anything for this blog. Then I came across this the letter below. It was written by a veteran in response to a student asking for help on how to complete a homework assignment to "honor veterans".


Dear Student,

I'm a veteran, and I really don't think you need to demonstrate any kind of honor in the terms of physical or financial action directly. The topic of veterans could give you some cause for deep introspection.

Consider that over the years millions of men and women have stood up and said I love this country so much I'm willing to give everything I have just to ensure it's survival.

With that said, all I really want other Americans to do is to make the best of everything they have and put forth the effort to ensure this country remains the light of the world, which is has been for the past 200 plus years. Which sadly seems to lacking greatly these days.

The military has allowed me the opportunity to live in and experience the cultures of many different countries. From these experiences I have concluded that the US is the best place live without reservation.

To truly honor our veterans all I would ask anyone to do is make the best of the opportunity the sacrifices of our fighting men and women have provided. Love your country with passion, and do what you can to make it a better place.

Your friend,
A Proud Veteran

What a country!! We all have the opportunity to honor veterans by loving our country with passion, and doing what we can to make it a better place everyday!!